The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-07

years that had destroyed the fairer marble.
On one of them she sat down.
/ The stiffness was broken once or twice
by slight rustling sound; but, lost in medi-
tation, she either did not hear it or, perhaps,
| thought it was a passing bird. The sun
sank behind the western mountain, tinging
the eastern range with rosy afterglow,
and the air grew sharp Lindsay shivered
a little as the wind sighed through the
| heavy pine trees, yet she still sat on until
twilight deepened to darkness, and the
moon rose solemnly from behind the wooded
| hills
| Suddenly deep sigh sounded near her,
and movement as of some one rising. Mrs.
Bell was not in the least superstitious, but
to be alone in an old forsaken graveyard
| after dark was situation exceptional
enough to account for her giving a slight
cry of dismay as she saw a tall figure rising,
as it were, out of the ground. She hurried
| toward the gate; but the thick bushes, the
| giant lilies, the web Of undergrowing vines,
as well as the fallen tombstones, impeded
her speed, and finally tripped her.
Astrong arm caught her as she fell, and
| a familiar voice began: "Do not be afraid,
madam''-then, as the moonlight fell on her
face-"Mrs. Bell" he exclaimed. "You
here alone at such an hour"
| 'Oh' she cried, clinging to him in her
| fright, sis it really youl l was so fright
ened, and [ believe l am little hurt
Nothing much; only one of those sharp
brambles has torn my foot. 1 think there
is a thorn in it. / must sit down again for
a moment and get it out"
He could see her face grow pinched and
white with pain as she limped back to the
granite headstone
| % . 7
your servant" he said humbly, as he knelt
before her.
GAS if you were my brother" she replied
kindly, as she extended dainty little Ok
ford tie.
With gentle deft touch he took it off.
| Another moment and the bramble was I'M
fastened from the sillien stocking, the little
shoe replaced. Still he remained kneeling
before her, while both looked silently down
on the pretty little village with its twink
ling lights, over the moonlit valley, across
| to the shadowy hills. From a church
steeple the hour rang out with deep vibrat-
ing sound to every stroke, and Lindsay
essayed to rise.
Mrs. Bell he said, OBTAINING her plead
| ingly, ''stay only a little longer. Is it true
that you are going awayi''
"You know l never expected to stay
| longer than the summer"
"Will it be soonp'
Eyes. We think of leaving next week"
There was moments pause; then he
said in low tone: Il am going away, too"
MAY l ask wherel" her voice just tinged
with anxiety.
81 don't know certainly. l am not yet
| sure" he answered dreamily. "Only l
must leave this"
"Will not that be rash to leave your
present employment for blank uncertainty
Had you not better wait until you have a
distinct opening somewhere9 Listen, my
dear boy" she laid her hand on his shout
der and assumed motherly air, 81 have
money, influence. Let me use both to ad-
vance your interests"
He sprang to his feet, and faced her with
a touch of wounded pride, as he thanked
her and declined 81 am not so badly off as
you may suppose" he added, more quietly
feeling, from her silence, that she was hurt
at his abrupt and disdainful refusal ''My
mother gave me fairly good education,
and, since l have been working here in the
pottery, l have saved money. have enough
to see me through with what want to do"
"Will you tell me what it is you want to
do?"
enjoying her evident surprise.
''To Paris But what for!''
ITO study art. o, yes! You think l
only know how to mold clay jugs and that;
but l have been modelling for years, and if
you would like to see my work why, sup
pose you could come with your friend to
my room. l shall not be afraid, even of
your criticism, for there are always artists
here in summer. have had lessons from
one and another, and praise from all.
think can model almost as well as you,
Mrs. Bell. But what l want to learn is to
paint. And l mean tor
Mrs. Bell was intensely surprised, but she
only said, "We will talk about that to-
morrow; meanwhile it is late. l must re-
turn"
Lingeringly, regretfully, they stood for
minute longer, looking over the strange,
still scene. The crickets were chirping
merrily now, and the moon cast fantastic
shadows all around them. AS if by one
impulse, their hands clasped in long
silent pressure. 1t was farewell They
both knew it, the village youth and the
young woman of the world-a farewell to
an unspoken summer idyl, shadowy I'M
real love that must never be told. Then he
led her down the dreary little hillside, out
of the unhinged wooden gate, and in a mo-
ment or two more they had parted, each
guessing something, but not all, of the 9TH
er's pain.
Mrs. Clarke, Lindsay's anxious duenna,
was watching for her at the door, and ran
forward with an exclamation of pleasure
and relief, which was instantly checked as
she saw her companion. She greeted Mr.
Vinton with freezing civility, scarcely wait
ing for him to be out of hearing before she
began impatiently: Greatly now, Lindsay,
your imprudence is something too much.
Have you no regard for appearances that
you choose such an escort for an evening
promenade"
''My dear, Minnie, spare me-" she replied
languidly. II was sitting In the cemetery,
and had forgotten time and space, and
even," laughing, ''the tea hour, when this
young man rose out Of the hill-at least l
suppose he did; forgot to ask him how he
happened to appear so suddenly. took him
for ghoul, spook, bloodred troll-any-
thing uncanny that you please to imagine
and l started on violent run, tumbled
over tombstone, and ran thorn into my
foot. Mr.. Vinton picked me up, and ex-
| pressed as much amazement as you your
self could have done. Indeed, fancied
there was a hint of disapproval in his tone
as he commented on my being there alone
| so late. We remained a moment to admire